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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

I don't know if you've seen my recent guest post on The Kosher Shopaholic, but I've decided to repost a similar one here. There are so many women (like me) who drool over fabulous (and fabulously unaffordable) fashion but just don't have the money for even one designer item.

Fashion means many things to different people, but to me it’s not about spending lots of money. It’s about appreciating the artistic creativity of the designers, enjoying the beauty and design aesthetic, and then interpreting it into my own personal style without spending a lot of money at all. From afar you may think my closet is full of Prada and Gucci, but anyone who knows me knows I actually hate spending a lot of money on anything. Besides for my occasional splurges, I get most of my stuff from Forever 21, H&M and many times Target! I actually just picked up a gorgeous dress in Tj Maxx for $39!

So I’m going to show you five ‘must have’ pieces for fall and how to style them in a way that will update your wardrobe...and each piece is $50 OR LESS! Yay!! Now that’s my kind of fashion fun.

1. A FUR VEST OR JACKET: Fur is everywhere this fall, and to some, faux fur is even more chic than real. Throw on a faux fur vest as a stylish topper that will bring your simplest outfit from ehh to yeah!!

2. LEOPARD SHOES: A touch of leopard never goes out of style and this season leopard shoes are everywhere. This thick soled t-strap platform is the 'it' style of the season. Slip them on with a simple black outfit and you’ll feel stylishly fabulous all day.

3. A BLUE PENCIL SKIRT: Beat the autumn blues with a touch of blue! This flattering hue can be found in so many of this fall’s collections. Since colorblocking is still a hot trend, buy a solid blue pencil skirt and pair it with almost any color top you may have. I especially love blue with nude, camel, burgundy, even forest green. And when in doubt, it will always look good with black.

Styling tip: When colorblocking a solid skirt with a different colored top, pull the pieces together with a neutral colored belt. Try camel, brown, or cognac.

4. A SNAKESKIN CLUTCH: Snakeskin was all over the fall 2011 runways. Because it's such a bold pattern, I personally love just a touch of it to accessorize your look. A snakeskin belt or clutch offers just the right amount of sophistication.

Styling tip: Keep a chic neutral clutch in your car or by your front door for when you want to run out and feel a bit more dressed (and don't want to shlep your day bag with you).

5. SOMETHING DOTTED: Polka dots have not always been taken seriously in fashion, but this fall Marc Jacobs made them super chic. Like many other trends, a touch of this is all you need to update your look. Try a polka dot blouse or skirt with a belted colored cardigan on top for a pretty work look.

Styling tip: A dotted blouse with a neck tie is the ultimate in chic, or just tie a pretty scarf into a bow around your neck to top any dotted top.

Now that you know what to keep your eyes out for on your next shopping trip, have fun restyling your wardrobe AND saving money!!

Note: I am planning on upgrading my laptop over the next few days so don't be surprised if I'm a bit MIA...I'll be back before you know it. Please feel free to comment on my posts and email me! I get everything to my iphone so don't be shy!

On FACEBOOK, LIKE fashion-isha for daily 'divine and refined' looks and gorgeous photo inspirations.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

So if you're on the East Coast I hope you're all staying safe from the wrath of Irene. As of now it's on its pathway up the coast towards the Jersey Shore where I am posting from. (I'm not exactly on the shore, I'm about 15 miles inland.) Thank God I have electricity, but I'm keeping my laptop and iPhone plugged in so if I lose power I will have full charges. And what else to do on a windy, rainy Saturday night than post a blog on fabulous rain gear...specifically, trench coats. Come on, let's make lemonade out of this lemon!

Trench coats are perennially in fashion for both kids and adults. They are classic, chic and the perfect cover-up for a rainy day:

Even in dreary weather there's no reason to not be fabulous!

So what are you doing to ride out the storm? (Or if you're not in the storm area, what are you doing over the weekend?) How about shopping for some cool rain gear?

After writing this post I do have a confession to make: I've never thought of myself as a trench coat kind of girl...I've actually never owned one. But now I think I have to get one. Help me out and tell me which on you'd recommend for me...

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Okay, for those of you who are not familiar with the Jewish (orthodox) custom of a married woman covering her hair, this post will be quite interesting and informative. As everyone knows, my blog is about fashion, design and beauty within a modest and refined lifestyle. One of the customs of the Orthodox Jewish woman is to cover her hair AFTER she is married. And let me tell you, within our circles, we put Hollywood wigs to shame with our resources of quality stunning human hair wigs. And these pieces do NOT come cheap (think along the price lines of a gorgeous Chanel or Valentino bag...or more!)

That is why I am happy to introduce Classic Sheitel Consignments (sheitel is a yiddish word for wig). The service offered by this company is a vital one for so many who cannot afford the full price of a new wig. We believe in looking beautiful and we need to be comfortable, so our standards are pretty high. Classic Sheitel Consignments affords women (literally) the opportunity to buy a slightly use wig valued at $3000 or higher for less than half of that price. Of course that is just one example. Prices vary depending on length, brand and quality of hair.

Some of my fabulous friends wearing their fabulous wigs!

Now, the big wig question: If covering our hair is about modesty, why do we wear such gorgeous wigs that ultimately add to our beauty? Well I found a great article explaining this whole concept and the the concept of modesty in general:

The Meaning of Hair Covering

From the Jewish perspective, modesty has nothing to do with being unattractive. Rather, modesty is a means to create privacy. And that is what a wig achieves.

Modesty has nothing to do with being unattractiveThe hair-covering was never intended to make a married woman look ugly.

Beauty is a divine gift, and Jewish tradition encourages both men and women to care for their appearance and always look presentable. Jewish tradition also encourages modesty; not in order to detract from our beauty, but rather to channel our beauty and attractiveness so it be saved for where it belongs -- within marriage.

By covering her hair, the married woman makes a statement: "I am not available. You can see me but I am not open to the public. Even my hair, the most obvious and visible part of me, is not for your eyes."

The hair-covering has a profound effect on the wearer. It creates a psychological barrier, a cognitive distance between her and strangers. Her beauty becomes visible but inconspicuous; she is attractive but unavailable.

The wig achieves the desired effect exactly, because a wig allows a woman to cover all her hair, while maintaining her attractive appearance. She can be proud of the way she looks without compromising her privacy. And even if her wig looks so real as to be mistaken for natural hair, she knows that no one is looking at the real her. She has created a private space, and only she decides who to let into that space.

Perhaps in other religions modesty and beauty don't mix. This is not the Jewish view. True beauty, inner beauty, needs modesty to protect it and allow it to thrive.

Your sheitel may be your biggest fashion accessory. A great cut makes you feel beautiful and amazing. But, when something goes wrong—the cut or color is unflattering, or the cap is uncomfortable, or you were pressured into buying something that just isn’t you—you’re left feeling unstylish, unlovely, and unhappy.

“I felt so frustrated and disappointed when sheitels didn’t work out,” shares Lena. “I had sheitels that were barely worn just sitting in my closet. They were a total waste, and I felt bad about buying a new sheitel when I had these perfectly good ones hanging around.

Lena envisioned a shop in which women could resell their sheitels and start fresh, and two-and-a-half years ago, she opened Classic Sheitel Consignments. She’s since sold over 150 gently-worn sheitels for consignment clients from all over the U.S., Canada, and Israel.

Her clients love it because they can sell the sheitels they’re not wearing and put what they earn toward buying another piece. “It’s amazing for the buyer as well, because someone who loves fashion and wants a beautiful look, gets a great deal on whatever high end wig we’ve got in stock,” says Lena.

Lena also writes a super-informative blog, www.classicsheitels.blogspot.com. She shares some really valuable insider tips—what the different types of hair are, how to ask for and get terrific customer service, how to convey what you want in a cut, and even what kallahs (new brides) can reasonably expect from a wig.

The sheitel buying process can be very confusing. Lena’s blog provides a sort of “sheitel concierge service.” Her main point is that the average sheitel customer just needs more information in order to make a good choice and get a great piece.

In the coming months, Classic Sheitel Consignments will be expanding by launching a new web site. The site will feature pictures of the stunning sheitels Lena has available so that women everywhere can see and buy what’s in stock. So keep your eyes open for the new site.

So go ahead, get that sheitel out of your closet and off your mind! Get a fresh start with a stylish new piece. (I'm waiting for mine to arrive!)

You can get in touch with Lena by calling her at 443-717-1111 or emailing CSCBaltimore@hotmail.com. She’s happy to answer any of your sheitel questions!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Happy Tuesday everyone. Here in the New York area the weather is absolutely glorious, there's not a sign of summer's end in sight. But in the fashion world it's a different story, my mind is already deeply entrenched in fall. I mean isn't that the way it works?

Well, this post was inspired by one of my daily blogland must reads: Habitually Chic. Heather from Habitually Chic always seems to inspire with her elegant taste and variety of content. A while back she posted these pictures from the Louis Vuitton Fall 2011 Ad Campaign and I fell in love with the vintage and ladylike mood portrayed by the elegant styling and gorgeous pieces of this campaign. Oh...the clothing, accessories and luggage are drop dead gorgeous, rich and sophisticated. I just had to share. Enjoy!

The features that I love the most from this campaign are:

1. The rich jewel colors

2. The subtle addition of glamorous elements like feathers, sequins and lace

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Hey everyone! This past Wednesday I had the chance to go to a local charity fashion show and there was no way I was going to miss it. The proceeds of the event went to the community's local food pantry, so for me the combo of fashion + charity was unbeatable! The fashion was absolutely (for lack of a better word) delicious!

Although this show was not exactly comprised of modest attire, there were lots of fashion and beauty inspirations to be had. And I can always extract style that's applicable to my personal life from just about anything. But, unfortunately I did not get enough pictures...I was distracted when I found out that Leandra from The Man Repeller was the featured guest. Hey, in the blogging world, anyone with over 7,000 followers is most certainly a celeb!

This is me in my self-tied sarong dress. It's actually a gorgeous beach cover-up I picked up in Target for $16.99. (See directions for making your own sarong dress at the end of this post.)

One of the style inspirations backstage was comprised of two top fall trends: Fur and lace.

Colored fur is HOT this fall, and this yellow stole took my breath away!

Another fabulous fur...omg I want them all!

This model portrays three of my fave accessories: Gorgeous earrings, a fabulous hairstyle and a shining smile.

Me and Leandra from The Man Repeller (!!)

Want to learn how to tie your own sarong dress? It is so easy, cheap and fabulous and can even be worn without the belt as a great maternity frock!

Here's how:

1. Take any large, rectangular shaped sarong or cover-up and hold it the long way across your back by the top two corners.
2. Bring the top two corners around to the front and tie one time across the top of your chest as if you're wrapping a towel around you.
3. Take the extra 'tails' from the tie and tie them around the back of your neck loosely enough so as not to pull the entire dress up and so you will still be comfortable.
4. If desired, add a wide belt to cinch your waist and give your new dress a great shape.

Can you believe that's it?? At first I was wary of wearing it just because it seemed too easy, but in the end I got tons of compliments!

My sarong is available at target.com. Here are some other beautiful ones to try. They need not be expensive just beautiful to the eye!

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Welcome

Hi, I'm Sharon...40 something Mom of 5, grandma, stylist, skincare consultant, and blogger. Take a moment to relax and enjoy this space. Please feel free to contact me or leave a comment. I love hearing from you! For more about me click on my photo. For a custom promotional post or to advertise, email me at ask.fashionisha@gmail.com.

Note: I do not claim to own many of the photos on this blog. Whenever possible I will link to the source but if you find photos on this site that belong to you and would like me to take them down please let me know and I will comply with your requests as soon as possible.